111 — Affirmation Therapy: Necessary, But Not Sufficient

Gender: A Wider Lens

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111 — Affirmation Therapy: Necessary, But Not Sufficient

Gender: A Wider Lens

Apr 21, 2023

Transcript

Until recently in many parts of Europe, and currently in the United States and Canada, the affirmative model of care is the primary practice in place for working with gender-nonconforming and gender-diverse youth and children. In this episode, Stella and Sasha put some intention into a deeper exploration of what affirmation therapy is exactly. They take time flushing out not just what it is but also facilitate consideration of what it means and what it achieves. Together they reflect on where the concept of affirming therapy came from, how it evolved into its current practice, when a clinician follows the affirmation model, how does that look in practice, and what are the implications?

Sasha and Stella also explore varying types of therapy, both similar to and in contrast to the fundamental premise of the affirmative approach, what they think about it, and does it actually offer any context for a comprehensive therapeutic process in the name of care?

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Sasha Ayad: https://inspiredteentherapy.com/parent-coaching

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Extended Notes:

The live stream in Killarney includes conversations about the mental, psychological, and sociological aspects of gender.
Sasha and Stella are working on the final edits of their upcoming book.
Sasha is updating her YouTube channel to include new content.
Sasha and Stella discuss the affirmation model and offer their opinions about the process.
Stella highlights the differences between the therapeutic process and therapeutic support.
Common underlying assumptions of therapists in the affirmative model.
How many therapists have a transphobic bias?
Sasha discusses the topics that can make therapists uncomfortable.
The resurgence of the positivity culture of the ’90s in therapy.
Combining positive thinking, social justice, and advocacy piece was a perfect recipe for the affirmative therapy model.
How does the affirmative model affect clinicians who don’t 100% believe in it?
The culture of the affirmative model is totalizing.

Quotes:

“Affirming a person in the context of therapy is actually quite boilerplate.” — Sasha [17:42]

“There is a difference between therapeutic process and therapeutic support.” — Stella [29:00]

“This positive, affirming thought process was in counseling. We were very ripe for the picking.” — Stella [55:10]

“The philosophy of affirmative therapy, especially as it begins to incorporate a social justice perspective by definition, is totalizing. It reminds me of high-control groups.” — Sasha [1:00:49]

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Gender: A Wider Lens

In this podcast, now in it's fourth year, therapists Stella O'Malley and Sasha Ayad take a deep dive into the psychological and cultural forces impacting the social changes around "gender." Through interviews with researchers, doctors, therapists, parents, detransitioners, and others, Sasha and Stella's podcast is a "must listen" for anyone trying to navigate the current gender landscape. With their sharp analytical minds and deep compassionate hearts, Stella and Sasha have also become known throughout many parent networks as lighthouses in the midst of some very stormy seas. Previous guests include Helen Joyce, Jesse Singal, Leor Sapir, Kathleen Stock, Jamie Reed, Peter Boghossian and more.

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